Vietnam, US continue fostering comprehensive partnership

Sunday, April 02, 2017 15:23

Vietnam is ready to cooperate with President Donald Trump’s administration to maintain the impetus for the development of bilateral ties, President Tran Dai Quang told US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius on March 31.

The President affirmed that Vietnam will continue promoting the comprehensive partnership with the US in a practical, constructive, stable and mutually benefiting manner on the basis of respect for each other’s political institutions, independence, national sovereignty and territorial integration.

He asked Ambassador Osius to convey his thanks to President Trump for his recent letter on forging the bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

The two sides need to maintain high-level visits and contacts, President Quang said, stressing that this is significant to strengthening mutual understanding and trust.

The President noted that Vietnam advocates free trade on the basis of equity and mutual benefits, and will continue participating in and implementing its international commitments, including free trade agreements (FTAs) which Vietnam considers as an impetus for restructuring the economy.

He also urged the US to continue its support for Vietnam in addressing post-war consequences, particularly projects to detoxify Agent Orange/dioxin and remove bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance.

Discussing the regional situation with rapid and complicated developments that contain risks of conflict, President Quang stressed that Vietnam welcomes the US’s increasing cooperation with regional nations in maintaining freedom of navigation and aviation, and supports the settlement of disputes through diplomatic measures and dialogues on the basis of international law, particularly the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, and other relevant ASEAN’s mechanisms, such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and working toward a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

For his part, Ambassador Ted Osius pledged to continue working to persuade the Government, Congress and business community of the US to strengthen ties between the two nations, while noting that the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the US is enjoying development at all bilateral, regional and global levels.

He repeated the content of the US President’s letter dated February 2 to the Vietnamese State leader, which affirmed the wish to boost cooperation with Vietnam in economics-trade and in regional and international issues. The letter also said the US wants to work with Vietnam and other nations in the region to ensure peace and prosperity in the Asia – Pacific on the basis of respect for international law.

The Ambassador also spoke highly of the role of Vietnam in hosting the APEC Year 2017, particularly the success of the first APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM 1) in Nha Trang, adding that the US President is considering attending the 25th APEC Summit.

President Quang said the US President’s participation in the Summit will contribute significantly to the success of the meeting as well as to the role and reputation of APEC.

Ambassador Osius affirmed that the US will continue working closely with Vietnam to ensure the success of the Summit